Improvement in copying-presses



G. C. TAFTV.

COPYING-PRESS.

Patented May 30,1876.

,9" f I 711 71 t N.PE.TERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAPNE-R. WASHINGTON. n c.

UNITED STA ES- PATENT QFFIGE.

GEORGE o. TAFT, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF oNE HALE HIS RIGHT TO JONATHAN LUTHER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN COPYlNG-PRESSES.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 178,204, dated May 30, 1876; application filed December 18, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. TAFT, of the city and county of Worcester, and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Letter-Copy ing Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a front View of my improved portable copying-press. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section at line a: m, Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5, 6 and 7, and also Fig. 8, represent modifications of the fastening and clamping device.

The object of my invention is to provide a light and compact copying-press for library or traveling use, which shall be simple in its construction and convenient of operation. I To this end myinvention consists in an improved copy-press composed of two rectangular plates, connected at their edges by hinges, and provided at their opposite edge with a pressureclasp or clamp device, said clamps and hinges being capable of adjustment, to increase or diminish the space between the plates, and thus adapt the press for use with books of difi en ent thickness.

In the drawings, A and A denote the lower and upper leaves or parts of the press, each of said parts, in the present instance, consisting of a thin rectangular plate providedwith astrengthening flange or rib, a, its edge or border. These plates are preferably made from malleable iron or other metal; but wood panels with metal borders may be used, if desired, or any other suitable construction employed. B indicates the hinges by which the plates A A are connected to eachother at their rear edges, so that the upper plate can be turned up or folded back in'the manner of a book-cover or box-lid. The hinges B are made adjustable by the thumb-nuts B working on the screw-spindles B (See Fig. 3.) 0 indicates the clamp mechanism for forcing the plates together and imparting the neces sary pressure. Said device consists of a loop, hung by the hinge-pin c to plate A, so as to swing up and back, and having a jaw, 0

which can be forced down upon the top plate trated in Fig. 3.

It will be observed that the size and weight of my improved copy-press are such that it can be transported in a valise or trunk without inconvenience, or it can be readily placed in the drawer of a writing-desk or table, thus rendering it a desirable articleiorjnse by travelers, or in private dwellings and libraries.

Having described my improved'portable letter-copying press, what I claim therein as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A portable copying-press, consisting of upper and lower leaves or'plates A A, connected to each other by, an adjustable hinge or hinges, and provided with an adjustable pressure-clasp or clamping device, substantially as set forth, and for the purposes stated.

2. The combination, with plates A A, of

the screw-and-nut hinges B, hinged clasp U, locking-jaw O and pressure-screw O substantially as shown and described.

GEO. O. TAFT. Witnesses:

S. R. BARTON, O. O. FULLER. 

